Pachycarpus concolor subsp. transvaalensis stem tip flowering

The closed buds of Pachycarpus concolor subsp. transvaalensis can also be quite pale as these greenish beige ones that resemble delicacies from a fine bakery. The bud starting to open shows how ostensibly simple things in nature can suggest mysterious significance to the human mind.

Once open, the colour contrast is striking between the pale corolla inner surfaces that attenuate and the dark maroon outer corona lobes that curve in like claws. Right in the centre is the white of the inner corona, also known as the staminal corona. The gynostegium consisting of the fused stamens and styles is immediately below the inner corona in Pachycarpus.

The outer corona serves as a visual cue for the pollinators, the inner corona is protection over vital parts (Pooley, 1998; iNaturalist; iSpot; JSTOR; https://www.worldfloraonline.org).